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Prof James Phillips
Professor of Regenerative Medicine
Pharmacology
UCL School of Pharmacy
- Joined UCL
- 1st Sep 2011
Research summary
Nervous system tissue engineering
The Phillips lab uses tissue engineering principles to model and to repair the nervous system.
The group specialises in building artificial neural tissues by growing nervous system cells in a 3-dimensional environment. These engineered neural tissues can be adapted using specific cells, extracellular matrix, chemical signals and biomechanical cues in order to provide laboratory models for neuroscience research, or implantable grafts for use in regenerative medicine.
1. Nervous system models
A range of models have been developed and can be tailored to mimic specific aspects of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The culture models tend to be made using 3D hydrogels, providing a more realistic spatial environment for neurons and glial cells than traditional 2D culture systems. They allow continuous observation and controlled manipulation, thereby facilitating analysis of cellular interactions. They complement in vivo models which generally allow only snapshot views and offer limited scope for controlling complex variables.
2. Nervous system repair
Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering provide opportunities to repair the damaged nervous system. This can involve the use of cell, drug and gene therapies and the construction of living artificial nervous system tissue to encourage growth of host neurons through an area of damage. The potential Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) developed by the lab often include aligned materials and glial cells in order to guide and support regenerating neurons. They need to be made from materials and cells suitable for safe therapeutic use, and as well as promoting neuronal growth they must restore the biomechanical functionality of the tissue.
For more information please take a look at our publications or visit www.jamesphillips.org
Teaching summary
Project supervision and assessment
BSc Biosciences; BSc Applied Medical Sciences; MPharm; MSc Experimental Pharmacology; MSc Pharmaceutics; MSc Pharmaceutical Formulation & Entrepreneurship; MSci Neuroscience; MSc Clinical Neurosciences; MSc Drug Discovery; MClinDent Oral Surgery; MClinDent Orthodontics; CoMPLEX MRes
MPharm Data Analysis Projects / Study Abroad Projects
Lectures/tutorials/assessment (School of Pharmacy)
MPharm PHAY0003 Deputy Module Lead, Enzymology Lectures and Practicals
MPharm PHAY0007 Cardiovascular System Workshops
MPharm PHAY0059 Advancing Practice Through Science
MPharm PHAY0060 Research Projects
MSc Experimental Pharmacology
New Drug Targets in the CNS (PHAYG023)
UCL Summer School ‘Nerve Injury Treatment: Medicine, Science & Engineering’ (ISSU0047)
Academic Tutor for MPharm students in all years.
Lectures/assessment for modules elsewhere in UCL
Tissue Engineering (MECHGB07); Applied Tissue Engineering (SURGGN06); Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering (MECHGB04); Musculoskeletal Biology (ORTHG012); Skeletal Tissue Biology (ORTH3003); Aspects of Bioengineering (MPHYGB21/MPHY3B21/MPHYMB21); Cell Therapy Biology, Bioprocessing and Clinical Translation; Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (CELL3001); MBBS SSC: Nanotechnology & Regenerative Medicine
Biography
James Phillips is Professor of Regenerative Medicine (from October 2020) and Vice-Dean (Innovation & Enterprise) for the Faculty of Life Sciences, having been Reader in Regenerative Medicine at the UCL School of Pharmacy since 2017. Prior to that he was Senior Lecturer in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering at UCL (2013-2017).James is currently involved in a range of research projects including collaborations with scientists, clinicians and engineers working in academia and industry. He is a member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Biomaterials Applications, part of the Executive Committee of the Tissue and Cell Engineering Society and a Board Member for the European Society for the Study of Peripheral Nerve Repair and Regeneration.